Working full-time, doing pre reqs and having a 2 year old?!

ocmd79 · Jul 7, 2008

I just wanted to chime in and say that I'm in the same boat. I have a 4 year old and a 9 month old and will be working part time through out school. It's encouraging to hear that other people have gone though this and survived...lol.

Christina

Butterfliesnroses · Jul 7, 2008

Personally, I'd wait until the youngest is school-aged.

I know this wasn't directed at me...BUT if I waited until my daughter was in school I'd have to wait 4-6 years...I work as a CNA which we all know that doesn't pay nearly enough...PLUS I'm the main breadwinner of my family...SO she'd be going to school and I'd probably work while she's in school and go to school...meaning more time I wouldn't get with her...I'd rather get it done...SO she can remember life with me spending time with her and remember us being comfortable (money wise)...

kozina0209 · Jul 7, 2008

I agree. I have been very fortunate that with my 3 sons (13,11 and 5) I have either been home not working or doing daycare. But with our surprise baby girl....and having 4 kids, living in California...My husband and I need to work. I would continue to do daycare but have become burnt out and need a change. The whole family needs a change. :no:

I loved being in th medical field. CNA allows me to work per diem, acquire time as a CNA to challenge the LVN and still be home with the kids. The 3 boys will be in school from 7:30-2:30 this fall so my daughter will be with my mom, who is a RN.

It's a hard choice for parents these days, By the time I challenge the LVNy my daughter will be in school full-time. and by the time she is in high school, my husband will be retiring and I will be a RN. At least that's the plan:chuckle

MTTMPE · Jul 7, 2008

Is it at all possible? I think so, but I am so nervous. For the first time ever, I am not worried about where the money will come from, I am not worried about when I have to stop working for school, what I am most worried about is my daughter..... I start my pre reqs in aug. at Tulsa Community College. ITs one of the best in Oklahoma, and also one of the hardest to get into...As the days creep closer, I get more apprehensive every day about not getting to see my daughter but for an hour or two a day for the next 3 years.... I almost feel like I am trying to talk myself out of it... Of course that isn't going to happen, but I want to know if anyone else out there feels like this and if so how they deal with it.

I feel the same way but, what you’re doing is good for you and her. I’d just set aside some mommy and daughter time. Get our nails done and go see a movie. She’ll look forward to those moments. Plus seeing you study will show her that you never stop learning. My daughter watch me study and she now studies just has hard as I do, in school. She sees the importance. You getting out of the program, will only show that when hurdles come your way, jump ship. MAKE EVERY LITTLE MOMENT COUNT. It’s best to do it when they are young. I’m going to nursing school, I’m active duty military, and have been deployed to Iraq twice. And my daughter stands behind me every bit.

kgle · Jul 8, 2008

I definitely would NOT wait until my son was school aged! The longer you put it off, the less likely it is that you will go back.

I am in the exact same boat! I work full time, do school part time, and have a 2 year old. Right now I am taking 6 credits, one on campus and one online. The time away from me is starting to show in my son, but he really does appreciate the time we have together. I try very hard to do something fun with him on my days off, whether its the pool, park, zoo, whatever. I feel like I am managing my time well for now, and next semester I am taking 10 credits (two 16 week classes, one 4 week, and one 10 week).

I guess the only thing getting me through is the pay at my job, lack of child support in a sufficient amount, and knowing that once I get this done, I will be able to spend much more time with my son if I get the job that I want. I don't pick up extra hours anymore, don't work holidays, my days off are my days off period. And luckily I have a job in a call center so when I am working during slow hours I can study (I wrote my entire rough draft term paper the other day in one work day!).

Good luck and if you ever wanna chat feel free to PM me!

vashtee, RN · Jul 8, 2008

The time away from me is starting to show in my son,

I waited until mine were older so the time away from me wouldn't show. In fact, I waited until Jr. High so they were pretty independent. I suppose everyone does what works best for their kids.

kozina0209 · Jul 8, 2008

It is tough. I have a son going into 8th, a son going into 7th, a son going into first and my 8 month old daughter.....:redpinkhe I definately have waited but being home with my daughter as I have been with my sons is very important to me and my husband.

I think I am just going to continue to enjoy my young family and take my time getting my school stuff done. My pre-reqs are pretty much done so I think i will get my CNA cert, and see what happens. I only need to work about 20 hours a week as a CNA and that is still flexible enough to do the things that are my first priority(my kids and husband, PTA,soccer, swim team) while balancing my goals.

I think things have a way of happening the way they are supposed to and we all have different reasons for going into a program when we are. I just know that I need to have my family be first than school. I think the part-time LVN program will do for me. My daughter will be almost 2 and I will be ok with being gone two 8 hour days a week. It's ok if it takes 3 years either that or I would have to do my time for 5 years as a CNA plus one pharmacology class to challenge the LVN. Time goes by so fast....you don't get these years back...

kgle · Jul 8, 2008

I waited until mine were older so the time away from me wouldn't show. In fact, I waited until Jr. High so they were pretty independent. I suppose everyone does what works best for their kids.

I'm glad you were able to do that, however I would be living on the streets if I decided to wait 8 years to go back to school.

TeeRN2Be · Jul 8, 2008

I have four kids, 10, 8, 4 and a newborn and I have almost all my pre-reqs done for my BSN. I have been holding down a full time job, taking sometimes 12 hours a semester and have managed to fit in extracurricular activities for the kids while pregnant and a full course load so I have proven to myself that anything is possible.

Think of it as the time you spend away from your daughter is worth the life you can give her tomorrow!!

Good Luck to you!!!

dcgrrl, ASN, RN · Jul 8, 2008

I'm looking forward to going back to school this fall. I have three boys (4,6,11) and work full time. I'm starting off slow, therefore, I'll be taking only CHEM in the fall. Next spring I'll kick it up a notch and take A&P I and Micro. I've been down this road before. I finished my Master's w/ three boys back in '04. It can be done - - - and you don't have to loose (all) your sanity in the process!!:chuckle

I know the main thing, as so many others have posted before me, is to have great time management skills, know your limitations, and hopefully have a strong support system (family, friends, spouse, etc.). If it weren't for my husband and my parents, I don't know what I would do.:roll

TripleJMomma · Jul 9, 2008

Hi, I'm a mom of 3 and I work part-time plus full-time at school. My husband works long hours so I understand how it feels to not want to leave the kids. I keep a picture of them with me in my notebook to remind me why I am doing what I'm doing. I just did a year of pre-reqs and I'm starting the nursing program in August. You can do it!! Just make each moment you do have with your child count.

crysinokc · Jul 9, 2008

You guys are all amazing! It is definitely not an easy path for any of us, but I know we will all do it!

I'm actually new to this place, just happened to come across it today and am glad I did. I am a mother of 3 and am currently working full time. I've done the college thing once and had some classes knocked out of the way, but have had to take a few pre-reqs this time around. I've been doing online classes since January but the classes I have left to take before I apply to the nursing program aren't offered online, so I'll be back in the classroom in August. Somehow I've managed working full time, taking my classes, and having all 3 of my kids in different sports. I don't know how, but me and my husband have done it. My husband is being deployed in August and will be gone for a year. Of course it happens when I will be taking my most difficult classes. I had thought about putting off school for another year, but I just don't want to. I'm ready to get it done! I did decide to quit my full time job though. It was really the only option with him being gone. I can go to school during the day while the kids are in school, and then I'll be able to run them to all their sporting events at night. It will still be hard, but I'm determined to make it all work.

Good luck to everybody! In the long run, this will all be worth it!